Novel ubiquitous potassium-channel proteins and their genes

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides novel ATP-sensitive potassium-channel proteins which are present ubiquitously in the living bodies of animals, and their genes.

[0001] The present invention relates to proteins for novel ATP-sensitive potassium channels, huK_(ATP)-1 and ruK_(ATP)-1, that are expressed in various tissues of human and rat origins, and to genes encoding the same. The said proteins and genes can be used as diagnostic and therapeutic agents for potassium-channel related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and endocrine insufficiencies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The etiology for diabetes is known to be mostly owing to disturbances of insulin secretion in the pancreatic β-cells. Consequently, elucidation of the molecular mechanism of insulin secretion is expected to play an important role in the clarification of causes for diabetes and the development of therapeutic agents against diabetes, but no detail has yet been made known on such molecular mechanism.

[0003] It has already been made clear that the ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K_(ATP)) being present on the cellular membrane plays a leading role in the cellular functions such as secretions and muscular contraction by coupling the state of metabolism in the cells with the membrane potential.

[0004] The K_(ATP) channel was first discovered in the cardiac muscle in 1983 [Noma, A., Nature 305:147 (1983)] and was thereafter confirmed to be present in tissues such as the pancreatic β-cell [Cook, D. L. et al., Nature 311: 271 (1984), Misler, S. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83: 7119 (1986)], pituitary [Bernardi, H. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 90:1340 (1993)]. skeletal muscle [Spruce, A. E., et al., Nature, 316: 736 (1985)] and brain.

[0005] In addition, it has been suggested that there exists the molecular heterogeneity of such K_(ATP) channels [Ashcroft, F. M., Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 11: 97 (1988)].

[0006] Particularly in the pancreatic β-cells, ATP produced by the metabolism of glucose brings about calcium ion inflow from the calcium channel by closing the K_(ATP) channel to cause depolarization, resulting in secretion of insulin. As is evident from this, the K_(ATP) channel plays a leading role in regulating the secretion of insulin.

[0007] The K_(ATP) channel belongs to a potassium channel family exhibiting electrophysiologically inward rectification, whereby the potassium channel family exhibiting inward rectification is classified into the four subfamilies, ROMK1, IRK1, GIRK1 and cK_(ATP)-1, on the basis of the degree of amino acid sequence identity.

[0008] Nevertheless, there has not been clarified the molecular architecture for the K_(ATP) channel in the pancreatic β-cells. In addition, no information has been disclosed on the novel ATP-sensitive potassium channels (huK_(ATP)-1 and ruK_(ATP)-1) of the present invention for the detailed protein structure and the formation of complexes with other proteins, for example, the sulfonylurea binding protein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In order to achieve the isolation, identification and functional analyses of a novel membrane channel, there are required the sophisticated techniques, such as molecular biological technique, cellular biological technique and electro-physiological technique.

[0010] Such being the case, the present inventors made ample and full use of such techniques to isolate human and rat genomes and cDNAs encoding the novel K_(ATP) channel (uK_(ATP)-1) expressed in different tissues of mammalians and to identify their amino acid sequences (see FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4). The identified uK_(ATP)-1 channel was expressed in the Xenopus oocyte system and mammalian cell lines.

[0011] Electrophysiological analysis demonstrated that uK_(ATP)-1 is an ATP-sensitive potassium channel exhibiting inward rectification. The uK_(ATP)-1 channel being expressed ubiquitously in tissues of mammalians inclusive of man and rats is involved in the maintenance of the membrane potential through the basal energy metabolism.

[0012] As is described in the above, the present invention relates to an ATP-sensitive potassium channel (uK_(ATP)-1) which is ubiquitously present in mammalians, and encompasses the ATP-sensitive potassium channel proteins, identified DNA sequences encoding the same, plasmid having such sequences incorporated therein and furthermore recombinant cells (tranformants) having such plasmid transfected therein. In addition, this invention comprises the isolated uK_(ATP)-1 proteins and recombinant proteins, their related materials such as agonists and antagonists, and drug designs inclusive of diagnostics and drugs for gene therapy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] huK_(ATP)-1 of a human origin is composed of 324 amino acid residue (See FIG. 1) with a molecular weight of 47,965, while the one of a rat origin is likewise composed of 424 amino acid residue (see FIG. 4) with a molecular weight of 47,960. These two potassium channels exhibit 98% amino acid sequence identity, and such a marked homology leads us to the assumption that uK_(ATP)-1 performs common, structurally and functionally basic actions in all mammalian cells. Among others, uK_(ATP)-1 participates in the membrane potential and energy metabolism, suggesting that it could find application as a drug substance acting to prevent disturbances under unusual, extreme metabolic conditions inclusive of endocrine diseases, e.g. diabetes, starvation and ischemia.

[0014] For example, the inflow and outflow of calcium ions caused by the opening and closing of uK_(ATP)-1 during the onset of ischemia is closely connected with ischemic disturbances. In other words, there is a possibility that the agonists and antagonists for the opening and closing of uK_(ATP)-1 would constitute a suppressory agent against ischemic disturbances.

[0015] From the comparative studies of huK_(ATP)-1 and ruK_(ATP)-1 with other potassium channels for the amino acid sequence, it was confirmed that uK_(ATP)-1 of the present invention belongs to a novel family of the inward rectifier potassium channels; the central region of the uK_(ATP)-1 protein showed incresed homology with other inward rectifier potassium channels. A hydropathy plot indicated the presence of two hydrophobic regions, which are composed of two transmembrane regions characteristic of the inward rectifier potassium channels and one pore region [Nicholas, C. G., Trends Pharmacol. Sci., 14: 320 (1993), Jan, L. Y. and Jan, Y. N., Nature, 371: 119 (1994)].

[0016] With reference to ruK_(ATP)-1 (Inagaki, N. et al., J. B. C., 270: 5691 (1995)], it was reported that in the second intracellular region, there are two potential cAMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation sites (Thr-234 and Ser-385) and seven potential protein kinase C dependent phosphorylation sites (Ser-224, Thr-345, Ser-354, Ser-379, Ser-385, Ser-391 and Ser-397), while there are one (Thr-63) and four potential casein kinase II dependent phosphorylation sites (Thr-234, Ser-281, Thr-329 and Ser-354) in the first and second intracellular regions, respectively, with no N-linked glycosylation site being present in the intracellular regions. The same findings were obtained with huK_(ATP)-1 [Inagaki, N., et al., in press (1995)].

[0017] Then, the present inventors identified the nucleotide sequences and entire amino acid sequences of huK_(ATP)-1 and ruK_(ATP)-1, thus enabling not only proteins themselves of huK_(ATP)-1 and ruK_(ATP)-1 but also their mutants to be synthesized in large quantities by expressing the DNAs encoding huK_(ATP)-1 and ruK_(ATP)-1 and their mutants in bacteria or animal cells with use of the known genetic engineering techniques. It is furthermore added that huK_(ATP)-1 and its fragments are useful for the hybridization diagnosis of depleted huK_(ATP)-1 DNA, with the mutants of huK_(ATP)-1 being of use in the studies on the sugar metabolism in cells, particularly insulin-dependent and independent diabetes.

[0018] The DNAs of novel huK_(ATP)-1 and ruK_(ATP)-1 according to the present invention were identified based on a cDNA library and genome library. The DNA encoding huK_(ATP)-1 shows a length of about 9.7 kb, being composed of three exons and is present on the chromosome at 12p11.23. The chromosomal DNA can be obtained by probing a genome DNA library with use of cDNAs for uK_(ATP)-1 and its fragment, as well. The isolated uK_(ATP)-1 DNA can easily be subjected to nucleotide depletion, insertion or replacement by the known techniques to prepare its mutants.

[0019] By employing the known techniques, it is easy to link nucleotide sequences encoding other proteins or synthetic polypeptides to uK_(ATP)-1 or its variants at the 5′ and 3′ ends to thereby prepare fusion proteins, or derivatives thereof.

[0020] For example, a fusion protein is prepared as a precursor protein and undergoes cleavage in vivo or in vitro to thereby perform functions; such fusion protein provides target-tissue and membrane orientation in addition to its proper function. In such a case, the fusion proteins contain sugar-chain binding amino acids, and can be modified to derivatives having tissue orientation or physiological activities activated by adding new sugar chains.

[0021] In order to produce uK_(ATP)-1, its mutants or their derivatives, the corresponding coding DNA is incorporated into a reproducible plasmid, and host cells being transformed with such plasmid are incubated. The host cells include bacteria, yeasts and animal cells.

[0022] Prokaryotes such as bacteria are suited for the cloning of deoxyribonucleotides. For example, pBR 322 plasmid derived from E. coli contains a gene resistant to ampicillin or tetracycline and can provide a practical means of identifying the transformed cells. Furthermore, the microbial plasmids contain a promoter which can be used to express their proteins themselves. In addition to prokaryotes, eukaryotes such as yeasts can work well, with a plasmid Yrp7 being utilizable especially in allowing the expression in yeasts of the species Saccharomyces [Stinchomb et al., Nature, 282: 39 (1979)].

[0023] Animal cells are also used as a host, and particularly the incubation of vertebra cells is employable easily and constitutes a conventional means [Krause and Paterson, Tissue Culture, Academic Press (1973)]. As the cell lines, there are mentioned AtT-20, Hela cells, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO), COMSM6, COS-7 and the like. The promoters of Polyomavirus. Adenovirus 2, Cytomegalovirus and Simian virus 40 are used to control the function of expression plasmid in such cell lines, wherein pCMV is a plasmid which finds widened application in the expression systems of animal cells [Thomsen et al., PNAS, 81: 659 (1984)].

[0024] The DNA sequences for the channel protein and huK_(ATP)-1 and muK_(ATP)-1 according to the present invention begin with the initiation codon “ATG”. In cases where the recombinant cells are used to synthesize such protein, there is no need to add ATG to the desired DNA, thus making the manipulation easy. When uK_(ATP)-1 is expressed in a prokaryote transformed with E. coli, consequently, there is generally synthesized a protein of the amino acid sequence beginning with Met. The N-terminated met of the resultant protein may be eliminated according to the purpose of application.

[0025] In cases in which uK_(ATP)-1 is synthesized in recombinant animal cells, similarly, proteins having Met contained or eliminated at the N-terminal are bio-synthesized, and both are useful for individually intended application purposes. uK_(ATP)-1 and its fragments can be administered to animals for their immunization to thereby produce antibodies. Also, immunization of animals permits a monoclonal antibody to be produced from cells secreting the desired antibody.

[0026] It has become easy to prepare uK_(ATP)-1 in large quantities, thus providing better understanding of the same at the molecular level. Accordingly, the production of uK_(ATP)-1 and its mutants or analogs raises the possibility to develop diagnostics or therapeutics for the channel-protein related diseases.

[0027] In particular, such proteins can be utilized in the procedures of investigating into a substance suited for diagnostics and therapeutics, or a substance that exerts agonistic or antagonistic action on uK_(ATP)-1. For example, a testing procedure with animal cells can be conducted by injecting cDNA for uK_(ATP)-1 into cells to conduct expression, followed by addition of sulfonylurea to study their interactions [Kayano, T. et al., J. Biol. Chem., 265: 13276 (1990), Example 4].

[0028] Additionally, the pertinent information has been obtained on the DNA sequence of uK_(ATP)-1, facilitating DNA or RNA encoding their fractional sequences to be prepared. Such relatively short DNA sequences possess the capability to hybridize with the gene to be selected, and can find application as a probe, which probe is effective for detection of cDNAs in different tissues.

[0029] The probe as prepared with use of uK_(ATP)-1 can be utilized to produce nucleic acids capable of hybridization from a variety of organisms and their tissues. The resultant nucleic acids may be the same type as uK_(ATP)-1 or its isoform and include nucleic acids encoding the novel proteins.

[0030] The prepared probe is utilizable in the gene diagnosis of potassium-channel related diseases; investigation can be conducted into patients' nucleotide sequences hybridized with the probe capable of detecting the disease genes.

[0031] The blocker and opener agents for the potassium channel have heretofore been used as therapeutics against diabetes and hypertension. uK_(ATP)-1 and its mutants, their derivatives and monoclonal antibodies to them, when processed into pharmaceutical preparations, can be administered to patients to thereby alleviate through neutralization the adverse effects brought about by an excess of such blocker or opener agents administered clinically. When uK_(ATP)-1 itself shows functional insufficiency, such pharmaceutical preparations can be administered to thereby make up for such deficient functions of uK_(ATP)-1.

[0032] The present invention comprises the preparation of drugs for gene therapy being applicable in the essential treatment method. The nucleotide sequences for uK_(ATP)-1 or its mutants and their derivatives can be incorporated into plasmid or stem cells, which are then given patients to open up the possibility of finding application as a drug for gene therapy.

[0033] Below described are the examples to illustrate the present invention in more detail, while referring to the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034]FIG. 1 is an illustration of the amino acid sequences corresponding to the base sequences as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0035]FIG. 2 is an illustration of the base sequence of uK_(ATP)-1 of a human origin as obtained in Example 5.

[0036]FIG. 3 is an illustration of the amino acid sequence corresponding to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0037]FIG. 4 is an illustration of the base sequence of ruK_(ATP)-1 of a

[0038]FIG. 5A shows the results of electrophysiological analysis of ruK_(ATP)-1 with use of Xenopus oocytes. The oocytes injected with cRNA of ruK_(ATP)-1 exhibited inward rectification under conditions of 45 mM [K⁺] concentrated extracellular fluid, which rectification was however blocked with 300 μM of Ba²⁺ added to the extracellular fluid. The control, which comprised injection of water, was observed to produce negligible slight inward electric current alone.

[0039]FIG. 5B is a plot of potassium-concentration dependent electric current versus voltage, leading to the confirmation that the uK_(ATP)-1 evidently is an inward rectifier potassium channel.

[0040]FIG. 5C is a plot of reversible voltage versus a logarithm of extracellular K⁺ concentration in the oocyte injected with cRNA for ruK_(ATP)-1, indicating the dependency of the reversible voltage on the extracellular K⁺ concentration.

[0041]FIG. 6 is a single-channel analysis of HEK 239 transformed cells having uK_(ATP)-1 expressed therein, wherein A represents recordings of single-channel current and B is a current-voltage relationship, demonstrating the presence of a K⁺current showing inward rectification.

EXAMPLE 1

[0042] cDNA Cloning of a Novel Inward Rectifier Potassium Channel (ruK_(ATP)-1):

[0043] A cDNA fragment of GIRK, rat G protein regulating, inward rectifier potassium channel, was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Using a ³²P-labeled rat GIRK cDNA fragment as a probe, search was made into a cDNA library made from rat islets of Langerhans in the vector of λgt22. The isolated ruK_(ATP)-1 cDNA was cut into suitable DNA fragments, and after subcloning into M13mp18 or mp19, base sequencing was performed by the chain terminator method (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

EXAMPLE 2

[0044] Expression in Xenopus laevis Oocytes and Electrophysiological Analysis:

[0045] A 20 ng quantity of cRNA synthesized in vitro from plasmid pGEM11Z containing a full-length ruK_(ATP)-1 cDNA with the RNA polymerase after being linearized through treatment with a restriction enzyme Not1 was injected into Xenopus oocytes, followed by electrophysiological analysis 2 or 3 days later. (see FIG. 7). AS is illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, there was observed a K⁺ electric current showing weak inward rectification. The K⁺ electric current was suppressed by adding Ba²⁺ in the exracellular fluid.

EXAMPLE 3

[0046] Single-Channel Analysis of HEK 239 Cells having ruK_(ATP)-1 Expressed:

[0047] HEK 239 cells were cultured in minimum essential Eagle's medium supplemented with 10% of horse serum. The expression plasmid (pCMV6b) carrying a full-length ruK_(ATP)-1 coding cDNA was transfected into HEK 239 cells with use of Lipofectamine to prepare transformed HEK 293 cells. The transformed cells produced in this manner were subjected to single channel analysis, with the results being shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

[0048] As is evident in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the outward electric current flowing through the channel was suppressed by the intracellular Mg²⁺, revealing that uK_(ATP)-1 is an inward rectifier K⁺ channel; uK_(ATP)-1 exhibited a single-channel conductance of ca. 70 pS. FIG. 7 illustrates effects of ATP on the uK_(ATP)-1 channel activity as observed in the inside-out mode. When 1 μM of ATP was added inside the cellular membrane, the channel was open but closed completely upon addition 1 mA of ATP. The results indicate that uK_(ATP)-1 is an ATP-regulated K_(ATP) channel.

EXAMPLE 4

[0049] RNA Blotting Analysis:

[0050] A 20 μg portion of RNA extracted individually from various tissues and cell lines as well as 10 μg of RNA extracted from the pituitary and thyroid glands were denatured with formaldehyde and electrophoresed on 1% agarose gel, followed by transferring onto a Nylon membrane. using ³²P labeled ruK_(ATP)-1 cDNA as a probe, hybridization was carried out, with the expression of uK_(ATP)-1 mRNA being observed in almost all tissues.

EXAMPLE 5

[0051] Cloning of cDNA and Gene of uK_(ATP)-1 of a Human Origin:

[0052] In order to isolate cDNA encoding uK_(ATP)-1 of a human origin, search was effected into a human lung cDNA library using ³²P labeled ruK_(ATP)-1 cDNA of a rat origin as a probe. The resultant clone was subjected to sub-cloning into M13mp18, M13mp19 and pGEM3Z, followed by base sequencing by the chain terminator method. 

1. An ATP-sensitive potassium-channel protein of a human origin which has the amino acid sequence shown in FIG.
 1. 2. A deoxyribonucleotide which has a base sequence encoding an amino acid sequence as claimed in claim
 1. 3. A deoxyribonucleotide as claimed in claim 2 whose base sequence is represented by the formula shown in FIG.
 2. 4. A protein having an amino acid sequence as claimed claim 1 which has a portion of the amino acid residue subjected to partial replacement, insertion or deletion to such an extent as may not cause loss of its biological activity.
 5. A deoxyribonucleotide which encodes a protein having an amino acid sequence as claimed in claim
 4. 6. A deoxyribonucleotide as claimed in claim 2 or 3 encoding a protein exhibiting the biological activity of an ATP-sensitive potassium channel protein, which deoxyribonucleotide has a base sequence encoding other protein or polypeptide linked to its base sequence at its 5′ end or 3′ end.
 7. A ubiquitous ATP-sensitive potassium-channel protein of a rat origin which has the amino acid sequence shown in FIG.
 3. 8. A deoxyribonucleotide which has a base sequence encoding an amino acid sequence as claimed in claim
 7. 9. A deoxyribonucleotide as claimed in claim 7 whose base sequence is represented by the formula shown in FIG. 5
 10. An ATP-sensitive potassium-channel protein of other animal's origin which belongs to the same family as the ubiquitous ATP-sensitive potassium channels of human and rat origins, and a deoxyribonucleotide encoding the same.
 11. An expression plasmid which has a deoxyribonucleotide as claimed in claim 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 or 9 disposed downstream of each of their respective promoters.
 12. An organism's cell having undergone transformation with a plasmid as claimed in claim
 11. 13. An antibody exerting interaction with a ubiquitous ATP-sensitive potassium-channel protein as claimed in claim 1, 4 or
 7. 14. An antibody as claimed in claim 13 which is a monoclonal antibody.
 15. A method of analyzing and testing a substance capable of exerting interaction with a ubiquitous ATP-sensitive potassium-channel protein as claimed in claim 1, 4 or 7 or its mutant protein.
 16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the interaction is through a direct in vitro linking action with a substance.
 17. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the interaction is through an agonistic or antagonistic action.
 18. A probe having a variety of lengths which is prepared by synthesizing a partial sequence for a deoxyribonucleotide as claimed in claim 2, 3 or
 5. 19. A probe having a variety of lengths which is prepared by synthesizing a partial sequence for a deoxyribonucleotide as claimed in claim 8, 9 or
 10. 20. A deoxyribonucleotide sequence of a genome library and cDNA library originated from the human tissues and cells which exerts interaction with a probe as claimed in claim
 18. 21. A method of analyzing and testing a deoxyribonucleotide sequence obtained by utilizing a probe as claimed in claim 18 or
 19. 22. A deoxyribonucleotide sequence of the genome library and cDNA library originated from the tissues and cells of human and other animals' origins.
 23. A method of analyzing and testing a deoxyribonucleotide sequence obtained by utilizing a probe as claimed in claim 19 or
 22. 24. A therapeutic agent for potassium-channel related diseases which contains a protein as claimed in claim 1 as an active ingredient. 